The testing phase for Magic Lantern 2.3 is over. Magic Lantern 2.3 release version is now here and the creators say it’s no longer a “hack”.
We can safely say it’s no longer a hack, but it’s strongly heading towards a solid piece of engineering that you can trust.
We have worked a lot on bug-fixing and usability improvements and we sincerely hope you will find it a great companion for all your shooting sessions – from hobbyist to professional.

Have you seen PART 1 of Zacuto’s Camera Shootout 2012? If you haven’t go here. If you have, you’re probably eager to find out which camera was which in their scientific and philosophic comparison between the most important up to date small and big digital film cameras.
If you’re serious about being a cinematographer you shouldn’t miss this series. It’s free to watch on Zacuto’s page. They just released the second part, continuing an in-depth look at today’s most important tools for cinematography ranging from the Sony F65 down to the iPhone 4S.
Just like last year a professional team of cinematographers compared the cameras in a controlled studio environment, later presented the results to filmmakers in the form of a digital cinema projection and eventually made a documentary about the whole thing which gives you a great scope of opinions and thoughts on the matter.
This year they added some life to the test by allowing the shooting teams to alter the light setup to perfectly fit each camera’s needs which I think is a very cool approach to show what each camera is really capable of. Because as we know each camera’s strength also depends on what people make out of it.
Here’s part 2: LINK
Cameras used: Arri Alexa, Canon C300, Canon 7D, Panasonic GH2, Sony F3, Sony F65, iPhone 4S, RED Epic

Some promising news comes from the Magic Lantern website today.
Feature highlights of the upcoming version:
– First full support for 5D mark II
– Supports latest Canon firmware for 5D mark II, 60D, 600D and 50D
– Advanced ISO control (ISO 80, improved highlight rolloff, ISO 51200…)
– Advanced FPS control (24.000 FPS and 0.2 FPS possible)
– High speed operating through shortcuts (read more)
– New menu design
– Much improved stability (read more)
This is what they wrote:
As promised last week, we are very close to the 2.3 release. We’d like to run a release candidate testing first (RC1), so we’ll start this today.
As a special gesture to the donors and contributors to the ML project, we would like to thank them by giving them access to the release candidate in the forum section accessible to contributors and supporters. Currently we match donors and forum members by hand, so if we miss any of you, please contact me or Bart via PM.
For providing testing feedback, you will have to complete a small quiz. Your feedback will help us fix any remaining problems and announce a release date for the stable v2.3, which will be available to those who donate at least 10 euro to keep us running. After three weeks, this version will become free for everybody.
ML 2.3 RC1 works on Canon 5D Mark II 2.1.2, 550D 1.0.9, 60D 1.1.1, 600D 1.0.2, 50D 1.0.9 and 500D 1.1.1.
via MagicLantern.fm

Zacuto presents its much anticipated Camera Shootout 2012. A both scientific and philosophic comparison between the most important up to date small and big digital film cameras.
If you’re serious about being a cinematographer you shouldn’t miss this series. It’s free to watch on Zacuto’s page.
Here’s part 1: LINK
Excerpt from the site:
We’ve got a lot to prove in Revenge of the Great Camera Shootout 2012. Some of it will surprise you, some of it will shock you, and some of it will change the way you work forever. Let’s make this clear: This is not the shootout you’re expecting.
Watch last year’s shootout series here.
Cameras used: Arri Alexa, Canon C300, Canon 7D, Panasonic GH2, Sony F3, Sony F65, iPhone 4S, RED Epic
So what letter was your favorite camera?
Have you written down your rankings?

Well, the short answer is: Buy the T3i.
Dave Dougdale did this nice comparison video between two cameras that are almost identical in terms of movie recording.
One of Dave’s reasons to go for the T3i was the price difference of $100. But I give you a better reason: The price difference is $200.

One of the nice things about Dave Dougdale’s videos over at learningdslrvideo.com is his honest attitude. Dave looks at the stuff from a non professional standpoint and shares his experiences and observations while “learning dslr video”.
This time around he compares the video capabilities of the relatively new Canon T3i / 600D with it’s flip out monitor to the older Canon T2i / 550D dslr camera.
One of his notes:
Very interesting; watch the comparison at the beginning at full screen and then look at the aliasing on my sweatshirt on the left (T3i), why is the T3i worse?
The Canon T2i is currently $699
The Canon 60D is currently $999
See Dave’s post on learningdslrvideo.com

Canon has released a minor firmware update for the Canon EOS 600D.
Changes in this firmware:
1. Clarifies the feature guide description of the digital zoom function for movie-shooting that appears on the camera’s LCD monitor.
2. Fixes a phenomenon in which, in rare cases, a computer connected to the camera with a USB cable cannot recognize the camera.
The firmware is available for download here